Kane leaving L+M later this month

New London — Pam Kane, executive director of the physician group affiliated with Lawrence + Memorial Hospital since 2010, will leave her position July 25 as part of an administrative restructuring.

Hospital spokesman Mike O’Farrell said Thursday that Kane is being “transitioned out” and that her responsibilities as head of the L+M Medical Group will be given to Dr. Christopher Lehrach, currently the chief transformation officer. In addition to Kane’s departure, the vacancy left by last month’s departure of Crista Durand, the vice president of strategic planning, marketing and business development, will not be filled, O’Farrell said. Durand became president of Newport Hospital.

The actions were made in response to recommendations made by a consulting firm that reviewed hospital operations, as well as other factors, O’Farrell said.

“We’re making sure we’re streamlined moving forward,” he said.

In addition to Kane’s departure, the hospital also announced the hiring of Seth Van Essendelft as the hospital’s new chief financial officer. Van Essendelft, a 1991 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, is currently the vice president of financial services at the Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, N.C. He replaces Lou Inzana, who became senior vice president and chief financial officer at Maine Medical Center in February. Van Essendelft will begin in mid-August.

Kane’s departure comes less than two months after 42 doctors sent a letter to the hospital’s board of directors stating that L+M had become a “not doctor friendly hospital” and that recruitment and retention of medical staff are suffering as a result. Some of the doctors who signed the letter said there is a poor relationship between the doctors and the hospital and that doctors are not treated with respect by some administrators.

Neurologist Dr. Daniel Moalli, who wrote and circulated the letter, said he will meet with Dr. Lehrach next week about doctors’ concerns.

“We’re looking forward to working with the hospital and hope this has positive results,” he said.